Today, as I was inspecting for leaks after a radiator replacement, something caught my eye. I noticed that the Alternator pulley had been rubbing against the lower radiator hose at some point and the rubber had become very thin.

Just a friendly note to inspect the lower radiator hose to alternator clearance.

The motor mounts were changed out several years ago and are still good. I can't determine if this is recent or something prior to that. There isn't much clearance now, maybe 3/4 inch.

Of course, I had to discover this after installing fresh coolant.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Mine is close, too, but hasn't yet rubbed enough to substantially compromise the hose. Good call, though - inspect at each oil change!

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'82 300CD
"Pearl", the very first turbo diesel 123 coupe
Totaled 11/23/18, rebuild in progress.
'85 300TD, "Artemis".
'78 300D euro, "Ol' Red", mostly retired.
'85 300D, "Gandalf".

Good catch. I thought mine have ample clearance, but I'll verify.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

Wrap the hose with electric tape around the thin spot.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I went straight to the garage and checked it. The damn thing was so close to touching that it had marks on it from what I assume was expansion. I think you saved me a surprise up the road. Thank you! This is like the scare I got a few weeks ago when I removed the coolant overflow tank to clean it out and discovered that the thin metal bracket it was obscuring was well on it's way to cutting my low-side a/c line open. After 30+ years of vibrating I guess this is all normal. Atleast the brake lines are metal.

I put new engine mounts and hoses on the car but filed this away as something to watch after.

When I moved the diesel to a a gas body I solved the issue permanently. I had Cline in Greenville build two SS hoses to replace the rubber. 120 bucks and change and this will never be an issue again.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

I drained the radiator and changed the lower radiator hose yesterday. After installation, I noticed a major difference in the clearance. The new Gates hose had significantly better clearance.

The original hose has a worn spot that has threads slightly showing.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Good call.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I had the same experience with a Gates hose vs Motorcraft on my 7.3l Powerstroke. The Gates hose is further from the belt when installed vs the Motorcraft, plus it leaves room for a coolant filter which the Motorcraft does not.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K